Intermittent mechanism



w. v. D. KELLEY 2,009,847

July 30, 1935.

I INTERMITTENT MECHANISM v 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed March 18, 1935 nnnuu ,l

In ven/2507"; Wlzz'am .VD Kelley,

A worn/ey.

`luly 30, 1935. w vl D, KELLEY 2,009,847

INTERMITTENT MECHANISM I `4 Filed March 18, 1955 3 sheets-sheet 2 Inventor;

July 30, 1935. wl v, D KELLEY 2,009,847l

INTERMITTENT MECHANISM Filed March 18, 1953 s sheets-sheet s DUUUU'UUUU UDUU v Inventor; William VB JUeZZeg,

Patented July 30, 1935 UNITED STATES 2,009,847 INTERMITTENT' MEcHANsM William V. D. Kelley, Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Color-Photo, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application March 18, 1933, Serial No. 661,439

10 Claims.

In this specification, and the accompanying drawings I shall describe and show a preferred form of my invention, and specifically mention certain of its more important objects. I do not limit myself to the `forms disclosed, since various changes and adaptations may be made therein without departing from the essence of my invention as hereinafter claimed; and objects and advantages, other than those speciiically mentioned, are included within its scope.

My invention relates to two-speed intermittent mechanisms, and particularly to such of these as are adapted for motion-picture machines. Among its principal objects are; rst, to provide a selective two-speed intermittent mechanism of standard dimensions, that is interchangeable with intermittent mechanisms now in general use; second, to furnish a two-speed intermittent mechanism having the above characteristics and a further capacity for being selectively operated at either intermittent speed at will at any time, even while in actual use; third, to provide automatic means, cooperative with a motion-picture film, whereby the intermittent speed may be changed instantly, to conform to the momentary requirements; and, fourth, to accomplish the above, and other objects that will appear from a study of the speciiication set forth below, by very simple, convenient, and practical means.

My objects are attained in the manner illustrated in the accompanying drawings, ink which- Figure l is an elevation in central section of my improved mechanism, certain parts being shown in full elevation for greater convenience of disclosure;

Figure 2 is a plan view of this mechanism in central section, with certain parts shown in full form for the reason just mentioned;

Figure 3 is an elevation of the front or power end. of the mechanism, in partial section taken on the plane 3 3 of Figs. l and 2;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional elevation taken` on the plane 4 4 of Figs. 1 and 2, after the removal of certain parts that would otherwise appear in this view;

Figure 5 is a similar cross-sectional elevation taken on the plane 5 5 of Figs. 1 and 2, with certain parts removed;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional elevation of the device taken on substantially the plane 8 6 of l and 2;

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional elevation of the device taken on the plane T l of Figs. l and 2 ;A

Figure 8 is an elevation of the rear or iilm end of the mechanism;

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the complete apparatus, after certain parts at the forward or power end have been removed, showing how the intermittent speed shift may be automatically operated by a film strip that is prepared for that purpose;

Figure '10 is a side elevation of the shaft whereby the nlm sprockets are intermittently rotated;

Figure l1 is an end elevation of the'element just mentioned;

Figure 12 is a side elevation of a two-way clutch element, whereby the intermittent speed of the device may be selectively controlled; and

Figure 13 is an end elevation of the last mentioned element. e

Similar reference numerals referto similar parts throughout the several views.

The drawings show a structurally operative andA practical mechanism in substantially proportional size, adapted for interchanging with standard intermittent mechanisms; but detail dimensions have, in a few places, been exaggerated for convenience of disclosure. Itis to be considered that the upper left-hand portion of Figure 9 is largely diagrammatic; and, although it represents the general character of apparatus that is suitable for carrying out the purposes to be subserved, it shows only one of the many ways in which this may be done.

In the development of the motion-picture industry, it often has been found desirable to have means for instantly changing the speed of the intermittent mechanism. This is particularly true in the projection of certain types of colored films, wherein alternate frames aregiven complementary colorings and it Vis desired to utilize 'the well-known eiect of persistence of vision to make the projected pictures appear to be fully colored. In such cases as this, pairs of adjacent pictures are projected in the time ordinarily required for projecting a single picture; and it'is common practice, in suchy cases, to make the picture frames'half the normal height. Such a film, carrying a series of half height pictures, should be run as a whole at normal speed; but the int'ermittent mechanism must work at twice the normal speed; and the iilm must be pulled down half the normal distance twice, .in the rinterval, ordinarily required in the case ofiilms carrying standard height frames. By utilizing this prin-v ciple, no change needbe made inthe speed of the lm as a whole; and thus, if the lm carries a sound record, there will be no diieultyin reproducing the sound correctly.

As the motion-picture art has developed, it is desirable at times to have a series of half-height4 pictures on a lm that carries another series of full-height pictures; and there may be several of one kind of such series combined with one or more series of the other kind. Obviously it would b'e impractical, during the running of ak lm7 to stop and change the intermittent mechanism as a whole, when it is desired to change the intermittent speed. My. invention provides means with driven pinions 33 and 34.

for instantaneously changing the intermittent speed whenever it is desirable or necessary to do this, without interfering with ruiming the lm as a. whole; and, moreover, it provides automatic means for changing the intermittent speed, where it is not desired to rely upon hand control. Such automatic means is controlled by the film itself, after certain alterations or kadaptations have been made therein.

In carrying out the development of my invention for practical purposes, I have utilized standard elements that practice has demonstrated to be the most suitable for the purpose; and I have arranged these elements in a housing of standard dimensions, in such manner that the device is interchangeable with standard types of intermittent mechanism now in general use.

In the particular rform of my invention that has been selected for illustration, I have shown a cylindrical housing at I5. This housing is of the ordinary motion-picture type, and is provided with the customary flange I6 at the driving end. It has a removable cover-plate l1 at the nlm end. This cover-plate is provided with integral bearing blocks I8, for shaft I9 that carries the iilm sprocket-wheels 2|.

Power for driving the intermittent mechanism is supplied to a main driving shaft 22. 'I'his is rotatable within a bearing 23 at the power end of the device, and the shaft carries a driving gear 24 outside of the casing, by means of which power may be applied. A fly-wheel 25, having a relatively heavy rim, keeps the speed of the mechanism substantially constant throughout its cycle. To take up end play, a knurled nut 26, and a lock nut 21 are provided. A pair of spur gears 28 and 29 are affixed to the inner end of drive shaft 22.

For securing the intermittent motion, at either speed, I employ the well known type of Geneva star-wheels and cams, this type of mechanism having been found to be eminently desirable Ior the purpose. The device illustrated shows two such wheels, one of them being a four-point starwheel shown at 3l, and the other an eight-point star-Wheel shown at 32, since, in the form selected for illustration, a mechanism having a two to one speed ratio is illustrated.

Spur-gears 28 and 29 are meshed respectively The former of these pinions is made integral with the sleeve 35 of a special Geneva cam 36, adapted to operate l the eight-point star-wheel through a driving pin 31. Driven pinion 34 is made integral with the sleeve 38 of a special Geneva cam 39, for driving the` four-point star-wheel through driving pin 4 l In the mechanism just described, both starwheels operate continuously but intermittently, and the pitch diameters of the gears and pinions are so chosen that the speed of revolution of the cam for the eight-point star is twice that of the cam for the four-point star. wheels are rotatably mounted so as to be coaxial with each other, and with the shaft i9 of sprocket wheels 2|. They are slightly spaced from each other, and an intermediate coaxial clutch member 42 is arranged to selectively engage either of the star-wheels, in such a manner that it may be utilized to drive the sprocketwheels. For this purpose, clutch member 42 may be shifted axially whenever desired, by means of a fork 43 cooperating therewith, and permanently engaging a circumferential flange 44 of the clutch member. 'Y

Clutch member 42 is provided with a series These two starstar-wheels, and the length of the teeth on member 42, should be made such that only one of the star-wheels can be thus engaged at a time. Thus, in the intermediate position or" clutch member 42, both star-Wheels are operated as idlers; but either of them may be utilized for driving sprocketwheel shaft I9.

Within the housing, sprocket-shaft i9 is formed .with an integral flange 5I. This flange is radially notched as at 52. Teeth 45 of clutch member 42 are in constant engagement with these notches, and are adapted'for longitudinal axial motion therethrough. Thus, if the clutch meinber engages either of the star-wheels, it will serve to transmit their intermittent motion to 1 shaft I9, and thus operate the iilm engaged by sprocket wheels 2l. Flange 5l also serves to longitudinally position shaft I9, as well as both star-wheels. Thus, this flange constantly engages the inner face of the eight-point star, and the right-hand end of a sleeve 53 extending from the four-point star. On the left-hand side or" the four-point star there is a boss 54 abutting against the inner end of main driving shaft 22, and thus the four-point star is positioned against axial motion.

It will be obvious that the mechanism described must be accurately made and fitted; and that means must be provided for taking up wear where it is most likely to give trouble, so that the mechanism may be maintained with very little backlash. To accomplish this, cover-plate I'l is definitely positioned by means of dowel pins and after this positioning it is held in place by countersunk screws 55. The main driving shaft 22 is closely positioned longitudinally by means of knurled nut 26 and lock-nut 2l. The cams of the star-wheels are rotatable about shafts 5'! and 5S respectively. These shafts are provided with integralfianged hubsA 59, and the axes of the shafts are slightly eccentric with respect to the axes of their hubs. The outer ends El of these hubs, extend beyond the surface of the housing, and are squared. Adjusting plates 62 engage these squared outer ends and, by this means, back-lash and wear of the Geneva mechanism can be taken up and closely adjusted. When the adjustment is made, the plates are lield in the desired position by means of cap-screws 63 passing through circular notches 64 in the plates. Lock nuts 65 further assist in maintaining the adjustment against displacement.

Geneva cam 36 is positioned longitudinally by making its overall length very slightly less than the distance between the inner face oi' the housing and that of the cover-plate. Geneva cam 39 is positioned longitudinally upon its shai't by means of a pair of lock-nuts 65. Sprocket shaft I9 is' kept from moving outwardly by means of its flange 5l, and may be kept from moving inwardly by having its length such as to bottom within an axial bore of hub 49 of the four-point star. It may, however, be more desirable to make use of an exterior collar 5'! for the latter purpose.

Clutch fork 43 is moved and positioned by extended portion of the cover-plate respectively. The extremities of the clutch shaft areprovided with nobs 12, for manual operation, when suchv is necessary or desired. At the extreme left-hand end of the clutch-shaft travel, clutch 42 will engage the four-point star, and this will cause an intermittent rotation of sprocket Vwheels 2|. At the extreme right-hand end of the longitudinal motion of the clutch shaft, the clutch will engage the eight-point star, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and also will impart an intermittent motion of rotation to sprocket wheels 2l; but there will be twice the number of intermittent motions per revolution, and each of these will be of half the number of degrees. The pitch diameters oi' gears 28 and 29, in relation to their driven pinions 33 and 34, is so chosen that the star-wheels will be driven at the same overall speed ci rotation. That is to say, each star-wheel will make the same number of revolutions per minute. Hown ever, star-wheel 3| will impart a total of Jfour intermittent motions to the sprocket wheels for each of its revolutions, and star-wheel 32 will impart eight intermittent motions during each of its revolutions,

In practical operation, the speed of the lm ordinarily is determined by the speed required for properly reproducing such sound records as may be made thereon. In the use of my apparatus, at either intermittent speed of which it is capable, the ultimate overall velocity of the film can be made Whatever is desired for the reproduction of sound or otherwise. If the lm carries picture frames of standard height, the four-point starwheel is placed in operation, so as to result in four intermittent motions for each revolution of the sprocket wheels. If the film carries picture frames of half the normal height,.the eight-point star-wheel is utilized, and eight intermittent motions are imparted to the film for each revolution of the sprocket wheels.

I-n modern practice, and particularly when certain type of colored motion pictures are to be runit may be desirable to employ a series of standard-height picture frames, anda series of half-height picture trames, upon the saine film. In some cases thereI may be several series of full-height frames, combined with several series of half-height frames. Such a nlm is illustrated at 13 in Fig. 9, the full-height frames being shown at 'I4 and the half-height frames being shown at 15. In running such a lm it will, oi course, be necessary to shift the intermittent mechanism, as between the four-point and eightpoint stars, at the exact instant when the portion of the lm that is passing the exposure apparatus changes from a full-height series of frames, to a half-height series of frames, or vice versa. It would be very difficult to accomplish this manually in an entirely satisfactory manner, and my invention provides means for doing this automatically.

The automatic means for shifting the intermittent mechanism as between the four-point star and the eight-point star, is illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 9. The shifting isaccomplished by causing one of the coils 69 or 1| to be energized, the clutch shaft 68 being made of magnetic material, so that the energizing of the `coil will cause the clutch mechanism to shift,

Referring to Fig. '9, I have indicated notches at 16, in one edge of nlm 13, at points where it is desired to have the intermittent mechanism shift. It will be understood by those familiar with the art, that the notches are not necessarily positioned where a series of full-height frames joins a series of half -height frames; but they must be so positioned that the intermittent motion will change co-incidentally when a change of frame height'passes the exposure mechanism.

In Fig. 9, I have shown a small and light bell crank lever, at 11. This is pivotally mounted at 18.l Its arm 19 carries a small flanged pivoted roller Si at its extremity, and this roller is `caused to remain in engagement with the edge of the nlm, by means of a light tension spring 82. When a notch in the edge ofthe film comes along, the roller will move tliereinto. The otherV lever arm 83 is adapted to make or break an electrical circuit, through contact points 84. 'Ihe length of film notches is made such as to cause suicient time for the necessary series of operations. Roller 8| will be forced to the left whenever it passes out of a notch in the edge of the` film, thus moving bell cranklever counterclockwise, and breaking the circuit through the contacts 84. t 85 I have shown, diagrammatically, a special form of commutator switch. This consists of a circular contact plate 89; having four radial projections 81, and arcuate insulating sections '88 between the radial projections. A brush 89 bears against plate 86; and brushes 8| and 92 each 'bear against insulating sections 88 and projections 81 alternately, as the commutator is rotated; one

of them being always in contact with one of the projections, and the other being always in contact with one of the insulating sections. The commutator switch is mounted upon a rotatable shaft 93, and the latter may be turned by means of an eight-point ratchet wheel 94.

For operating the commutator switch, I have shown a solenoid coil at 95. This is equipped with a vertical core-rod 96, carrying a pivoted pawl 91 at its lower end, the pawl being adapted to operate ratchet wheel 94. At its upper end, the corerod carries a collar 98 to limit its downward motion, and an insulated contact point 99 which limits its upward motion; and the travel of the core-rod is thus adjusted so that pawl 91 will engage ratchet wheel 94, and move the latter oneeighth of a turn for each stroke of its cycle.

The electrical devices described are connected up to two independent circuits; one of these being purely a control circuit, actuated by roller 8| and nlm notches 15; and the other circuit being adapted, with its included apparatus, to operate clutch shaft 68. A single source of electrical energy, as thebattery IUI, may be utilized for operating lboth circuits, the latter being connected to the battery in multiple. The arrangement shown permits the battery to remain idie except when the intermittent mechanism is to vbe shifted from one of its speeds to the other.

The operation of the automatic shifting means may now be described, reference being had to Fig. 9. It will be observed that roller 8| is shown as having droppedinto a notch in the edge of lin 13, thus closing the contacts 84. This establishes a circuit from battery |i| through `solenoid coil 95, contact points ad, and lever varm 83 4to ground at` |92, and back to the battery Vthrough its ground connection |83. Coil 95, now being energized, has pulled its core-rod Qt to the upper limit of lits travel; thus moving ratchet wheel 94 one-eighth of a turn; and closing a circuit through contact point 99. Current from battery |94 will now flow through the contact points at 99, wire |04, brush 89, contact plate 86, brush 9|, wire |05, coil 1|, to ground at |86, and thence back to the battery. The energizing of coil 1| is shown as having pulled clutch shaft 68 to the right-hand extreme of its travel; thus putting the eight-point star-wheel into operation, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

As soon as roller 8| has passed out of its film notch, the control circuit will be opened at contact points 84. Solenoid is then unenergized, and its core-rod 96 will drop. Pawl 91 will then engage the next ratchet point of wheel 94, ready to pull it upward for the next shift of the intermittent motion. When it does this the commutator switch will be turned one-eighth of a revolution, brush 92 will contact a projection of plate 86. Brush (il will rest upon an insulating section 88. Lefthand coil 69 of the intermittent shift will then be energized, and pull clutch shaft 68 to the extreme left-hand end of its travel for putting the four-point star-wheel into operation.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that my invention provides automatic means for properly running a film having pic ture frames of two different heights. Slight variations in design will permit of having intermittent ratios, other than the two to four ratio selected for illustration.

For actuating the shifting mechanism automatically, many other means will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art; for instance, in place of film notches 15, roller 8i, and bell crank lever 11, use could be made of small meta-L lic contact buttons on one edge of the film strip, for establishing the circuit for alternately energizing solenoid shifting coils 69 and 1i.

In the drawings I have shown circular notches |01 in clutch shaft 58, and a spring |08 adapted to engage these notches. The purpose of this device, obviously, is to prevent the intermittent shifting mechanism from moving, until it is desired to have it do so. In Fig. 8 the wing clips 109 are a convenience for retaining the casing of the device in a projection machine. Any suitable source of power may be utilized for operating the device, such as a small constant speed electrical motor, connected by gearing to driving gear 24.

Having thus fully described my invention, I

claim:

' l. Intermittent mechanism comprising; a rotatable power shaft; a driven shaft, co-axial with the power shaft; and clutch means mounted for adjustment to a plurality of positions, in at least one of which positions the power shaft can not drive the driven shaft, and in a plurality of which positions the power shaft can impart to the driven shaft intermittent rotations; said intermittent rotations being of different frequency.

2. Intermittent mechanism comprising; a rotatable power shaft; an independently rotatable driven shaft, co-axial with the power shaft; and means for causing uniform rotation of the power shaft to impart to the driven shaft, selectively, intermittent rotations of different frequency and the same overall speed of revolution.

3. Intermittent mechanism comprising; a rotatable power shaft; an independently rotatable driven shaft, co-aXial with the power shaft; a pair of star-wheels of different angular pitch, adapted for being intermittently rotated at the same overall speed of revolution by uniform rotation of the power shaft; and means for causing either of said wheels, selectively, to impart its intermittent rotation to the driven shaft.

4. Intermittent mechanism comprising; a rotatable power shaft; an independently rotatable driven shaft, co-axial with the power shaft; a pair of Geneva wheels of different angular pitch, adapted by cooperants for being intermittently rotated at the same overall speed of revolution by uniform rota-tion of the power shaft; and clutch means for causing either of said wheels, selectively, to impart its intermittent rotation to the driven shaft.

5. Intermittent mechanism comprising; a rotatable power shaft; an independently rotatable driven shaft, co-axial with the power shaft; a pair of spaced Geneva wheels of different angular pitch, co-axial with said shafts and adapted by cooperants for being intermittently rotated at the same overall speed of revolution by uniform rotation of the power shaft; a clutch element intermediate the Geneva wheels, co-aXial therewith and adapted to engage them singly; and means for shifting said clutch element axially, for selectively engaging either of said wheels; said clutch element being in constant engagement with said driven shaft.

6. Intermittent mechanism comprising; a 1'0- tatable power shaft; an independently rotatable driven shaft, co-axial with the power shaft; means for causing uniform rotation of the power shaft to impart to the driven shaft, selectively, intermittent rotations of different frequency and the same overall speed of revolution; and means operable by the driven shaft for imparting an intermittent motion of translation to a cinema lm.

'7. Intermittent mechanism comprising; a rotatable power shaft; an independently rotatable driven shaft, co-axial with the power shaft; means for causing uniform rotation of the power shaft to impart to the driven shaft, selectively, intermittent rotations of different frequency and the same overall speed of revolution; and sprocket means on the driven shaft whereby an intermittent motion of translation may be imparted to a cinema lm.

8. The construction set forth in claim 6 in combination with automatic means, controllable by the running position of the film, for selecting said intermittent rotations.

9. The construction set forth in claim 6 in combination with automatic means, comprising spaced abnormalities upon the film, for selecting said intermittent rotations.

10. Intermittent mechanism comprising; a rotatable power shaft; an independently rotatable driven shaft, co-axial with the power shaft; a pair of spaced Geneva wheels of different angular pitch, co-axial with said shafts and adapted by cooperants for being intermittently rotated at the same overall speed of revolution by uniform rotation of the power shaft; a clutch element intermediate the Geneva wheels, co-axial therewith and adapted to engage them singly; electromagnetic means for shifting said clutch element axially, for selectively engaging either of said wheels; means operable by the driven shaft for imparting an intermittent motion of translation to a cinema lm; and automatic means, adapted for actuation by spaced abnormalities upon the film, for causing said electro-magnetic means to function; said clutch element being in constant engagement with said driven shaft.

WILLIAM V. D. KELLEY. 

